An earthquake centered in the rural Pacific coastal region of Chocó struck at about 7:30 a.m. Monday, sending strong shaking nearly 100 miles away to Cali and prompting rescue crews to race toward people believed trapped beneath collapsed buildings, according to local reports. The disaster has drawn intense concern from New York City’s Colombian community, where residents have gathered along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, to watch unfolding television coverage of the devastation in Colombia’s third-largest city and other affected areas.
Cali Devastation and Queens Community Impact
Television screens inside Colombian bakeries along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights displayed severe damage from the quake, including collapsed structures in Cali, people running for cover, and a cathedral splitting apart in Manizales. Natalia Bernal, who has family in Colombia, told reporters that the images fill her with a feeling of homesickness and despair. Cali, which has about 2 million residents, represents the most densely populated area affected by the disaster. Another resident, Loni Cerna, said her son is a college student in Cali and is safe, though parts of the campus suffered heavy damage and individuals may still be trapped.
Communication with relatives has proven difficult for many Colombians living in New York. Luisa Ladino, who has family in the country, noted that reaching relatives to confirm their safety was a struggle and that the unpredictable nature of such a large disaster remains frightening. Members of the local community also expressed gratitude that recovery efforts may not face the same hurdles seen after earthquakes struck neighboring Venezuela six weeks ago. Following those tremors, assistance flowed from Colombia into Venezuela, but community members noted that Colombia is now in urgent need of help itself.
Did You Know? The earthquake struck at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday and originated in the rural Pacific coastal region of Chocó, with shaking intense enough to bring down buildings in Cali about 100 miles away and to be felt in Bogotá roughly 250 miles from the epicenter.
Epicenter Shaking and National Political Fallout
While Cali and surrounding regions suffered widespread destruction, Bogotá, located roughly 250 miles from the epicenter, was largely spared significant damage despite the shaking being felt across the capital. The disaster presents an immediate and severe test for Colombia’s new president, Abelardo De La Espriella, a lawyer and businessman with no prior government experience who took office just last week. Officials are responding to what has been described as the country’s worst natural disaster in more than a decade. In response to the crisis, President De La Espriella announced he was halting his official schedule, stating, “I have ordered the suspension of my entire schedule.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the earthquake centered?
The earthquake was centered in the rural Pacific coastal region of Chocó and struck at about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
How did the disaster impact Cali and other cities?
The quake caused widespread destruction, including collapsed structures in Cali, people running for cover, and a cathedral splitting apart in Manizales. Rescue crews are racing to reach people believed trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
How is the disaster affecting leadership in Colombia?
The earthquake presents an immediate challenge for new President Abelardo De La Espriella, who took office last week and announced the suspension of his entire official schedule in response to what has been described as the country’s worst natural disaster in more than a decade.
How is the Colombian community in New York responding to the crisis?